Model year record

1995 Ford Explorer

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,048 owner complaints on file.

Ford Explorer, 1995–2001 generation
Pictured: the 1995–2001 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V399000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA
2009-10-13
Owners notified
2009-10-27

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety risk

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V402000

Suspension

Component
Suspension
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
810,000
Reported to NHTSA
2000-11-28
Owners notified
2000-12-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A FRONT SWAY BAR LINK CAN FRACTURE.

Safety risk

VEHICLE HANDLING COULD BE AFFECTED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V310001

Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut

Component
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
470,582
Reported to NHTSA
1999-11-03
Owners notified
2000-01-03

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDER BRACKET WELDS COULD FRACTURE.

Safety risk

WITH A BROKEN BRACKET WELD, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE LIFTGATE BRACKET TO GRADUALLY BEND INWARD ALLOWING THE LIFT CYLINDER BALL STUD TO DISENGAGE, UNEXPECTEDLY ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL FROM AN OPEN POSITION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL LIFTGATE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. DEPENDING UPON THE CONDITION OF THE LIFTGATE SHEET METAL IN THE AREA OF THE BRACKET, DEALERS MAY ALSO INSTALL A LARGER REINFORCEMENT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V053000

Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly

Component
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
49,300
Reported to NHTSA
1995-03-15
Owners notified
1995-03-06

Defect description

THE INNER TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES WERE IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED AND CAN FRACTURE CAUSING SHAKING OR SHIMMY AT LOW SPEEDS.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE WHEEL ON THE SIDE WITH THE BROKEN TIE ROD TO TUCK INWARD OR OUTWARD AND SLIDE RESULTING IN AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE INNER TIE RODS AND REPLACE THE SUSPECT TIE RODS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V052000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
8,100
Reported to NHTSA
1995-03-15
Owners notified
1995-03-06

Defect description

IN SOME OF THE VEHICLES, BRAKE TUBES WERE MISROUTED BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND RESULTS IN EXCEEDING THE ALLOWABLE STOPPING DISTANCES AS REQUIRED BY FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IN ADDITION, SEALS WITHIN THE MASTER CYLINDER COULD BE ABRADED BY THIS CONDITION OVER TIME RESULTING IN AN INTERNAL LEAK AND A FURTHER REDUCTION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE.

Safety risk

CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: STOPPING DISTANCES COULD BE LONGER THAN INTENDED RESULTING IN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REROUTE THE BRAKE TUBES.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Tires: tread/belt110102,000 mi
Tires102155,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission7780,000 mi
Vehicle speed control49145,286 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip4399,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3391,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly31118,759 mi
Suspension2665,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal25115,000 mi
Air bags: frontal23—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly21110,000 mi
Suspension: rear21—
Structure: body: door16—
Suspension: front16127,000 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar16136,500 mi
Electrical system15159,370 mi
Electrical system: ignition15156,914 mi
Unknown or other14150,500 mi
Power train12171,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash10136,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage10—
Seats: front assembly: recliner10137,315 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components10—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder10200,000 mi
Steering10175,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission9171,214 mi
Seats9122,050 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter891,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor8—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar8—
Tires: sidewall830,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights7171,214 mi
Seat belts780,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc7—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut7—
Air bags6115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine6—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch6100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings696,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar6138,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control6128,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module5—
Engine and engine cooling5187,000 mi
Interior lighting572,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)580,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic5100,028 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system5—
Visibility: windshield5—
Electrical system: wiring4—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly4—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly4—
Power train: axle assembly4—
Steering: linkages4—
Steering: rack and pinion4—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint455,714 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system4—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3—
Exterior lighting3122,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings3—
Fuel system, other3—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch3106,150 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift3—
Seat belts: front3120,000 mi
Structure365,000 mi
Structure: body3—
Suspension: front: control arm3—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire3—
Vehicle speed control: cables3—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior3—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer3—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2—
Electrical system: horn2—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2170,000 mi
Engine2130,000 mi
Equipment: electrical2—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2—
Fuel/propulsion system256,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional2—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines2—
Power train: driveline2—
Service brakes, air: antilock2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages2—
Structure: body: bumpers2—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments2160,523 mi
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments2—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing2—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: shackle289,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices2—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs2—
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1—
Air bags: side/window1—
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1—
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1136,500 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment1—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Equipment: mechanical: winch1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: switch1—
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal130,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank: selector devices1—
Latches/locks/linkages1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock186,000 mi
Parking brake1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)155,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator130,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1—
Steering: column1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: linkages: drag: link: connection1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate1—
Structure: body: tailgate1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm1—
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Traction control system1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1100,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1—
Wheels1220,000 mi
Wheels: rim1—

The 1994 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 1996 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

RQ99016LIFTGATE SUPPORT BRACKET FAILURE

Structure

Other Ford Explorer model years

All Ford Explorer recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.